Adjustable clamp



July 13, 1954 R. B. IMMEL ETAL ADJUSTABLE CLAMP Filed 001;. 26, 1951 WITNESSES: 47 42 26f ATTORN EY Fatented July 13, 1954 UNITED STATE creases TENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE CLAMP Application October 26, 1951, Serial No. 253,357

5 Claims.

This invention relates generally to an assembly of electrical connectors and more in particular to a terminal strip assembly embodying a plurality of terminal blocks having facilities for making electrical connections.

The subject matter of this invention is particu larly directed to a terminal strip assembly embodying terminal blocks of the type illustrated in the copending application of Lawrenc Pierce and John C. Ponstingl, Serial No. 39,358, now Patent No. 2,583,157, issued January 22, 1952, entitled Mounting Clamp for Terminal Block, and assigned to the same assignee as this invention.

In the mentioned application, there is shown a novel form of terminal block which is formed of a single piece of molded insulating material. The terminal block comprises a body portion having recesses of rectangular configuration in the opposite ends thereof separated by a centrally positioned transverse web through which an electrical connector is fitted. The ends of this electrical connector are equipped with suitable wire clamping means so that the ends of two wires may be secured thereto respectively for the purpose of completing an electrical circuit therebetween. The base of this terminal block is provided with a dovetail section, the sloping faces of which are rounded. This dovetail base is slidably insertable between the sides of a correspondingly shaped channel member, and the width of this section is sufiiciently narrow to fit between the confronting edges of the sides of the dovetail channel. Thus, to insert the terminal block in the channel, the block is turned with its longitudinal dimensioning paralleling the channel and the dovetail section fitted between the channel sides. Thereafter by rotating the block, the arcuate faces of the dovetail section are brought adjacent the channel sides and locked therebeneath to prevent removal of the block as long as the block remains in the last-named position. With such an arrangement, provision must be had for preventing a single block or a plurality of blocks arranged in side-byside relation from becoming loose and sliding apart so that any single block may rotate and drop from the channel.

This invention is, therefore, directed in one of its important aspects to a terminal strip assembly substantially as described having end clips in- V of the channel to form a stop for the blocks at that end and adaptable for removable insertion in the other end of the channel to form a removable stop between terminal blocks at that end.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from a study of the following specification when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view which illustrates a portion of a terminal strip assembly showing the end clip in its removable position in one end of the terminal strip channel;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view which illustrates the end clip mounted in a fixed position in the other end of the channel; and

Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are respectively top, front, and side views of the terminal clip of this invention.

In Figs. 1 and 2, details of the terminal blocks hereinabove described have not been illustrated in the interest of simplicity, since such details are not essential to an understanding of this invention. Additionally, in Figs. 1 and 2 for the purpose of better illustrating the end clips and their manner of mounting in the terminal strip mounting channel, the terminal strips have been shown as separate items. However, it is to be understood that the assembly as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is intended to represent a single strip in which for assembly the end clip as illustrated in Fig. 2 would be mounted, as shown, in the righthand end of a terminal strip assembly, as viewed in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1, the terminal strip assembly therein illustrated comprises a plurality of terminal blocks i which are slidably mounted in a mounting channel 2 which is formed of sheet material such as metal. This mounting channel comprises a base 2 and inwardly projecting channel sides d which define a dovetail slot in cross section. The terminal blocks 1 are secured between the channel sides by means of the dovetail base portions (not shown) but which have been described in the opening paragraphs of this specification and which may be seen by reference to the mentioned copending application.

The terminal blocks are secured in their illustrated side-by-side relationship by means of a terminal clip generally designated 5 which is illustrated in detail in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. This terminal clip 5 is of generally L-shaped configuration and is blanked from a single piece of sheet metal and bent to the L-shaped configuration shown. One leg 6 of this terminal clip is of greater length than the other leg I and is provided with a pair of V-shaped notches 8 in opposite edges thereof at a point adjacent the line of bending of the clip. These notches 8, as seen by reference to Fig. l, are sufficiently deep to receive the channel sides 4 whenever the L- shaped member is slidably inserted into the channel with the leg 6 in an upright position. In this position, the leg 1 lies adjacent the base 3 of the channel. A hole 9 is punched and extruded through the leg 1 and is threaded to receive a screw I0. Screw it is threaded through the hole 9 in leg 1 and its bottom side engages the base 3 of the channel. This lifts the entire clip upwardly and engages the edges ii of the slots 8 with the inner faces of the channel sides. Edges H substantially parallel these inner faces of the channel sides. This stops upward movement of the end clip and continued rotation of the screw l then tilts the'entire clip'about the edges H which now function as hearing points and thrusts the leg 6 into engagement with the adjacent terminal block. When the blocks are suitably secured at the other end of the assembly, this exerts a clamping force to the stack and positively secures the terminal blocks in the strip.

Referring now to Fig. 2 which illustrates the mounting of end clip at the other end of the terminal strip, it will'be seen that-the end clip is slidably fitted into the dovetail slot of channel 2 with the leg 6 adjacent the base 3. For this purpose, leg I is provided with apair of rectangular notches 13 which clear the inner edges of the sides of the channel 2. As illustrated, the end clip is only partiallyinserted into the channel so that a portion of the leg 5 overhangs the end of the channel. In'this position, the chan- "nel sides 4 are flattened as illustrated at M to positively clamp the leg'6 intheend of the channel. Leg 6 is provided with an elongated hole I4 having its major dimension paralleling the longitudinal axis of the strip. A portion of this hole or slot l4 extends beyond the end of the mounting channel and provides an opening through which a screw may be inserted and threaded into the panel or other support upon which the terminal strip is to be mounted. This end'clip, therefore, functions additionally as a mounting bracket in such an installation.

Alternatively, the end clip may be inserted completely into the channel in'the position illustrated in Fig.2, so that no portion of leg 6 overhangs the end of the channel. For mounting the terminal strip with such an installation of end clip 5, a-holemay be drilled oripunched through the base of the channel to clearthe mounting screw therethrough. As a further alternative, the end clip 5 "of Fig. 2 maybe mounted in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1 if it is desired to have easy access to both ends of the stack of terminal blocks. This expedient, however, is not necessary, inasmuch-as when the end clip of Fig. l is loosened, the entire stack of blocks may be shifted or'any portion of the'stack may be shifted along the mounting channel a suflicient distance so that any single block may be rotated from its illustrated position to a position in which its longitudinal dimension parallels the length of the channel in which position the block may be easily removed.

In order that the end clip may be conveniently removed from the channel without sliding the clip out through the end of the channel after the screw H) has been loosened, opposite edges [5 of the leg 1 adjacent the'end of the leg are cut at an angle defining edges which are essenmounting of the terminal blocks in the mounting channel may be easily accomplished. In the one end such as shown in Fig. 2, the end clip may be permanently installed and in the other end as shown in Fig. l, the end clip is removably installed. Since but a single type of end clip is required in this assembly, both manufacture and assembly of the terminal strip are facilitated.

Since numerous changes may be made in the above-described construction and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope hereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim as our invention:

1. An adjustable clamp assembly comprising, a channel member having inwardly disposed'sides, an L-shaped member having legs disposed in substantially relation, said legs being of a width to slide into said channel member at the widest point thereof, one leg having notches in opposite edges of a'conflguration to clear the sides of said channel member, said L-shaped me1-ber being slidably fitted into said channel member with said one leg in an upright position and extending transversely ofsaid channel-member, the sides of said channel member fittinginto saidnotches, the other leg'of said L-shape'dmemher being disposed adjacent said base, said other leg having a threaded hole therein spaced from said one leg, a screw'thread'ed throug'h saidhole, saidscrew'engaging theba'se of said channel and thrusting said other leg upwardly, the edges of said notches engaging'the sides of the channel member tilting said L-"sh'a'ped member thereabout.

2. An adjustable clamp assembly comprising, a channel member of sheet mat'erial :having inwardly sloping sides forming 'a 'dovetail slot, an L-shaped member having legs disposed in substantially'90 relation, said legs beingof'a width to slide into said dovetail slot 'a't'the widest point adjacent the base thereof, one'l'eg having notches in opposite sides having edges "for engaging the inner faces of the sidcs'of the channel member, said L-shaped member being slidably fitted into said channel member with said'one leg in an upright position and extending transversely of said channel member, the side'sof said channel member fitting into said notches, the other leg of said .L-shaped member being disposed adjacent said base, said other leg having a threaded hole therethrough spaced from said one leg, a screw threaded through said hole, said screw engaging the base of said channel and thrusting said other leg upwardly, the edges of said notches engaging the sides of said channel member tilting said L-shaped member thereabout.

3. An adjustable clamp assembly comprising, a channel member of sheet metal having inwardly sloping sides forming a dovetail slot, a pair 'of L-shaped members each having legs disposed in substantially 90 relation and of a width corresponding to the width of the base of the dovetail slot to slidably fit therein, each leg of each L- shaped member having notches in opposite edges adjacent the line of connection of the respective legs for clearing the sides of the channel member, one leg of each L-shaped member having a threaded hole therethrough spaced from the other leg thereof, one L-shaped member slidably fitting into said dovetail slot in one end of said channel member with said one leg in an upright position and the sides of said channel member fitting through the notches in said one leg, the sides of said channel member at the other leg of said one L-shaped member being depressed against said other leg to secure said one L-shaped member, the other L-shaped member being slidably fitted into said dovetail slot in the other end of said channel member with said one leg thereof having the threaded hole therein adjacent the base of the dovetail slot and the other leg thereof disposed in an upright position, a screw threaded through said threaded hole, said screw abutting said base and thrusting said other L-shaped member upwardly engaging the edges of the notches of said other leg thereof with the sides of said dovetail slot and tilting said other L- shaped member about said last named edges.

4. Apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein the notches in said other leg of each L-shaped member are V-shaped having an edge defining an angle with respect to the other leg thereof which is substantially equal to the angle between the sides and base of the dovetail slot.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said other leg of each L-shaped member is provided with an elongated hole which is disposed longitudinally of said channel member when said other leg lies adjacent said base and is adapted to overhang the end of said channel to provide a mounting hole for said channel member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 706,287 Yahn Aug. 5, 1902 973,964 Pachinger Oct. 25, 1910 1,926,927 Woertz Sept. 12, 1933 2,583,157 Pierce Jan. 22, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 694,675 France Dec. 6, 1930 116,429 Australia Jan. 21, 1943 583,598 Great Britain Dec. 20. 1946 

